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Rangers resting Darvish until All-Star break

Rangers resting Darvish until All-Star break

CHICAGO -- Yu Darvish will not make another start before the All-Star break, Rangers manager Ron Washington announced Wednesday, as the club looks to give the rookie right-hander extra rest.

Washington said Darvish is not hurt, but the Rangers decided this weekend was the best time to give him a start off with the upcoming All-Star break.

Washington also said Darvish, who as of Wednesday morning led the 2012 All-Star Game MLB.com Final Vote Sponsored by Firestone, will be available to pitch in the All-Star Game if voted in.

"It's just looking forward," Washington said. "We just feel in our best interests and in his best interests that missing this last start is not going to hurt anything. It's just going to help us as we move forward after the break."

Darvish, who is 10-5 with a 3.59 ERA in 16 starts this season, issued the following statement:

"Physically I am fine, but the front office and the coaching staff have decided that since this is my first year to give me some extra rest. I will accept that and take advantage of that time. If I am selected to the All-Star team I should be able to participate in the game."

The Rangers' rotation for this weekend's series in Minnesota will consist of left-hander Martin Perez on Friday, Derek Holland on Saturday and Roy Oswalt on Sunday.

Holland, who threw a bullpen session Wednesday afternoon, will be returning from the disabled list after suffering from left shoulder and elbow fatigue. He has been on the DL since June 7, retroactive to June 6.

"Holland is ready to pitch so we decided to do it, so we have a replacement [for Darvish]," Washington said.

The decision to skip Darvish is similar to what the Rangers did last July with 26-year-old Matt Harrison, who they skipped once after the All-Star break. Harrison and Darvish are the only Rangers starters not to get injured this season, and Washington said Harrison likely will get skipped again at some point this season, as well.

"It was just trying to maximize Yu Darvish's ability," Washington said. "A lot of it came with the drudgery of the schedule, he not experiencing this type of grind and we just feel like we have to do what's best for him and what's best for us. We think him missing this one start, getting that time through the All-Star break and coming back will benefit he and the Texas Rangers."